Section 9

Pitot Static System

Section 9 Pitot Static System

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PITOT STATIC SYSTEM

General

The pitot static systems operate the Air Speed Indicator, Vertical Speed Indicator and the Altitude
Indicator for each pilot. In addition, fitted into the Co-pilot's system, is the Air Data Module for the
Autopilot and a 60 Knot pressure switch to warn the crew if the landing gear is still retracted and
illuminate the LG warning light and AVAD warning.

Two pitot tubes, inclined at +10° are fitted on the front of the aircraft. The static vents are situated on
both sides of the intermediate structure aft of the rear cabin windows. Drain valves are incorporated in
each system and these can be operated from under the aircraft below the cockpit.

Standby static vents are provided inside the cockpit and may be selected by use of the selector switches
on each side of the centre console beneath the instrument panel. There are two switches – one for each
static system. These switches are normally snap wire-locked and, if used, the appropriate corrections
must be made to Airspeed & Altitude.

The Co-pilot's system has two additional switches (Air Data Isolating Valves) located behind his left hand
on the lower front face of the electrical cupboard. These are also snap wire-locked in their normal
position and may be used to isolate the Air Data Unit should a fault occur in his Pitot or Static supply
lines.

Central Warning System

PITOTS

STD
BY

STATIC PRESSURE

Right Hand Emergency

Static Selector Valve

Altimeter Air Speed Indicator Pitot Heat

Control

ANTI-ICING
PIT LH PIT RH

ON ON

OFF
Vertical Speed Indicator

Figure 1 – Pitot Static System Cockpit Locations

Section 9 Pitot Static System

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 Pitot
Head

Total Static
Pressur
Water
Bleed
Valve ASI ALT Static
Vents
Cabin Air
Emergency
Static

VSI

Pitot
Head

Total
Pressur
Water
Bleed
Valve
ASI ALT
Cabin Air
Emergency
Static

Static
VSI Pressure
Air Data
Module
N
Autopilot
Sensors Static
Vents
N
Total
Pressure Airspeed Signal
for Static
Undercarriage Not
Extended Warning

Figure 2 – Pitot Static System

Section 9 Pitot Static System

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 Static Ports

Bulkhead behind
Copilots seat

Drain Valves for Total Pressure

and Static Pressure Lines AIR DATA
SYSTEM
N
STATIC
S/BY PRESSURE

STATIC PRESSURE

Left Hand
Emergency N OFF
Static Selector Valve
TOTAL
PRESSURE

AC Heated

N OFF

Air Data Module

Isolation Valves

DC Heated

Pitot Head

Figure 3 – Pitot Static Component Locations

Section 9 Pitot Static System

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Pitot Head Heating

To prevent icing of the pitots each one is fitted with a 28V DC heating resistor wound around the
protruding tubes. A 115V AC heating strip is also fitted in each supporting mast alongside the pitot
tubing. The power supplies to these heating elements are controlled by ON/OFF switches on the 34
alpha panel with a warning system to indicate failure of circuits.

To prevent overheating of the pitots when the aircraft is on the ground the power supply to the heating
resistors is halved.

The heating electrical circuit is shown in Figure 4 along with the controls and indications.

Section 9 Pitot Static System

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 Right-Hand Pitot Head
2

2 Heating
PITOT 3
X HEAT
Strip
P
2 5 Resistor
C

+
6
2
a Ground/Flight
P
Relay
P PITOT
HEAT b 4
6 Ground/Flight
Logics

Pitot Switch
(34 Alpha Panel)
PITOTS + Warning Light (32 Alpha Panel)
1
X
P
2
C PITOT
HEAT
Left Hand Pitot Heat
2
P PITOT
HEAT
P
5

Figure 4 – Pitot Heating Electrics

(Shown on the ground and selected ‘OFF’)

Operation

Switching on the battery supplies a positive to the warning light on the 34∝ panel, which finds it’s earth
through the de-energised contact of the Current Monitoring Relay (3) and illuminates the light.

When the switch (1) on the 34∝ panel is made, the contact (a) makes the supply to the control relay (2)
and energises it. This allows the 115V AC to flow to the heating strip and the 28V DC to flow, through
the monitoring relay (3), to the heating resistor in the pitot head. The Monitoring relay is energised by the
current flow and the earth contact for the warning light is broken. The light goes out.

Should a break occur in the circuit to the pitot head heating resistor the monitoring relay (3) will be de-
energised and the earth contact made. This will now illuminate the PITOT light on the CWP (through
contact (b) of the 34∝ switch) as well as the switch warning light. The PITOT light will extinguish when
the switch is made ‘OFF’ but the amber warning light remains ‘ON’ on the 34∝ panel.

Note – No indication is given of failure of the AC heating circuit.

When on the ground the GROUND/FLIGHT logic (6) is not made and the logic relay (4) is de-energised
so that, If the pitot heat is switched ‘ON’, the current has to flow through resistor (5) thus reducing the
heat of the pitot head.

Section 9 Pitot Static System

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